An acid spill at a Chinese mine has contaminated the Kafue River in Zambia, affecting millions. The incident involved a collapsed tailings dam, resulting in the release of 50 million liters of polluted water. The Zambian government is actively engaged in efforts to mitigate the environmental damage.
The contamination of Zambia’s Kafue River has resulted from an acid spill at a Chinese-owned mine, raising serious concerns about its impact on millions of local inhabitants. Environmentalists have reported pollution extending at least 100 kilometers downstream from the site of the incident, prompting fears about the long-term consequences on the ecosystem.
The Engineering Institution of Zambia revealed that a tailings dam at a copper mine collapsed on February 18, which allowed nearly 50 million liters of acidic waste, heavy metals, and solids to enter a tributary that feeds into the Kafue River. This event is deemed an environmental disaster with potentially catastrophic effects, as highlighted by environmental activist Chilekwa Mumba from Zambia’s Copperbelt Province.
The Kafue River is critical to Zambia, as about 60% of the country’s 20 million population relies on it for resources such as fishing, agricultural irrigation, and industrial use. Approximately five million residents, including those in the capital city Lusaka, depend on the river for drinking water.
In response to the crisis, the Zambian government has mobilized the air force to disperse lime into the Kafue River to mitigate the acid effects. Additionally, speed boats are being deployed to apply lime extensively, with the intention of reversing the damage caused by the spill, underscoring the urgent need to protect this vital waterway in Zambia.
The acid spill at the Chinese-owned mine has led to significant contamination of the Kafue River, endangering both local ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of Zambians. As authorities work to address the crisis through remediation efforts, concerns remain about the long-term impact on this essential waterway. Swift action and international oversight may be critical in preventing future environmental disasters of this nature.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
